Page 36 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

Cassandra continued, her eyes searching Nadine’s face. “I reflected on our relationship and everything you said. Maybe I kept wanting to have sex in public because it made me feel in control. It was easier than admitting that you make me feel something real, something more than just fun.” She paused, biting her lip. “I think working together has changed me for the better.”

Nadine felt her body relax a little, the anger starting to fade. She’d been ready for a fight, for accusations and more rejection, but here was Cassandra, being open and vulnerable. It was disarming.

Cassandra took a deep breath. “I wasn’t lying at the restaurant when I said I feel lonely. I feel dumb for opening up and then sliding back into old habits. Sometimes it feels like I’m taking one step forward and two steps back.” She looked up at Nadine, her blue eyes filled with sincerity. “I want a personal life now. I think it would help me be better…not just for me, but for my business, too.”

Nadine felt a boost of happiness mixed with hesitation. She’d always wanted to know what was going through Cassandra’s mind. Discovering that Cassandra actually wanted something more than just a casual fling was a surprise. “You really want that?” she asked softly, her heart pounding. “You want a personal life…with me?”

Cassandra nodded, looking serious. “Yes, I have feelings for you, Nadine, but I know I have to work on myself first. I can’t keep making the same mistakes.”

Nadine smiled slightly, a flicker of hope lighting up her chest. “I’m glad you’re recognizing that. It makes me feel hopeful about us.” She took a moment to gather her thoughts, still feeling somewhat wary. “But if we’re going to work on things, I think we need to go to therapy. I want to help you, but I can’t do it alone.”

Cassandra’s face brightened. “Really? You’d support me in that?”

“Of course,” Nadine said, feeling warmth spread through her heart. “I want you to be happy and healthy. I want us to find a way to make this work, but it’s so important that we deal with our issues first.”

Nadine could tell that Cassandra was thinking deeply. After a moment, Cassandra replied, “Okay. I think therapy is a good idea. I want to get better, for myself and for us.”

Relief washed over her. It seemed they had turned a corner. “Thank you for being honest with me,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting you to open up like this.”

Cassandra gave her a small smile, her eyes glistening. “I didn’t think I could.”

For the first time in a while, the tension in the air began to lift. Nadine moved a little closer to Cassandra, feeling a warmth she thought had been lost. It would take time and effort from both of them, but they were both ready to try.

Nadine gently took Cassandra’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Let’s do this together,” she said, determined and hopeful. “We can figure it out.” In that moment, they both knew they were starting to heal, beginning a journey that would lead them to a stronger relationship.

“Can I join your meeting?” Nadine asked, peering up at Cassandra.

“Of course. But first…” Cassandra fixed a smudge in Nadine’s makeup with the sleeve of her blouse.

Nadine sniffled. “Thanks. Can I have a hug?”

The older woman’s eyes softened as she agreed, letting the younger woman fall into her arms, her face pressing lightly against her neck. The hug lingered for a moment, both women feeling an electric tingle from all of the pent-up emotions they were finally setting free. Nadine’s hand traveled up, brushingCassandra’s chin and wrapping around her neck for a moment before she pulled away. They took a moment to compose themselves before making their way to Elara. They weren’t quite a power couple yet, but they weren’t enemies either. For now, that was more than enough.

13

CASSANDRA

Cassandra sat in a comfy chair in the therapist’s office. The room was warm and cozy, filled with soft colors and friendly pictures on the walls. It felt safe, which was good because Cassandra had a lot on her mind. She was about to share her thoughts and feelings for the very first time in therapy. Nervously, she looked around the room, finally settling her gaze on the therapist, who smiled encouragingly.

Cassandra took a deep breath. “I’m here because of my relationship with Nadine James,” she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty. The therapist nodded, giving her the gentle push she needed to continue. “Nadine is…well, she’s younger than me. A lot younger. I’m fifty-two, and she’s in her mid-thirties.” As she spoke, Cassandra’s hands fidgeted in her lap, her nerves evident.

“It feels strange to start a relationship at my age,” she continued, her voice a bit shaky. “I have so many insecurities.” She recalled the feelings of doubt that crept in like shadows whenever she thought about her situation. Questions whirled in her mind—what would people think of them? Did she, at her age, really have what it took to make a young woman happy?

Cassandra had spent a long time feeling hopeless about her love life. After her last relationship ended, she’d had many dark days where she believed she would never find love again. She had almost given up. But everything changed when she met Nadine. The young woman had entered her life like a bright light, bringing joy and laughter back into Cassandra’s world.

Her heart warmed at the thought of Nadine’s smile. “Working with Nadine has become the best part of my day,” she admitted, feeling the corners of her mouth turn upward. “She makes me feel special. And that’s what brought me here…I want to make sure I’m good enough for her.” Cassandra paused, a lump forming in her throat. “I don’t want my insecurities to drive her away.”

The therapist listened carefully, nodding again. “What kind of insecurities do you feel?” they asked gently. Cassandra thought for a moment, looking down at her hands. It was tough to put everything into words, but she tried. “I feel like I have to be perfect all the time. I worry that because I’m older, people expect me to have everything figured out. But the truth is, I don’t.”

As she spoke, she opened up more, revealing how insecurity had pushed her into a corner. She explained how she’d always believed that love had a timeline, a schedule that she’d missed. “Watching my friends find partners and get married while I struggled left me feeling…broken. And now, with Nadine, I feel something I thought I’d lost forever, but I still have this fear that it will all fall apart.”

The therapist nodded knowingly. “It sounds like you’re feeling pressure from both outside and inside,” they said. Cassandra knew she had some societal expectations weighing on her, but she also felt the pressure she placed on herself to be perfect. The noise of uncertainty inside her head was sometimes overwhelming.

“She’s the only reason I feel happy outside of work,” Cassandra confessed. The thought of her job felt heavy. Each day, she poured herself into her work, pushing through endless meetings and projects, but it never filled her heart. She had a feeling only Nadine could do that. “I want to enjoy this relationship and not let my worries ruin it.”

Cassandra blinked back tears. “I don’t want to let my age, my past, or my worries about being ‘not enough’ keep me from being happy,” she added softly. It was difficult for her to acknowledge that, but she knew she had to confront these feelings, especially if she wanted her relationship with Nadine to work.

The therapist smiled kindly. “It’s okay to feel unsure, especially when you’re starting something new. What do you think would help you feel more confident in this relationship?” Cassandra liked that question. It made her think of ways she could tackle her fears.

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